Flying-machine.



PATENTED JAN.

F. WONDRAL FLYING MACHINE APPLICATION FILED 001111, 1904.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

No. 876,125. PATENTED JAIL-7, 1908 P. WONDRA.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED 00T.11, 1904.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

No. 876,125. PATENTED JAN.'7, 1908.

r P. WONDRA.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLlOATION FILED 0O T.11, 1904.

7 SHEET8-SHEET 3.

W @51 (lHbzum a 4/ u I W No. 876,125. PATENTED JAN. 7, 1905; F WONDRA FLYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED OUT. 11,1004.

'7 SHEETSSHEET 4,

PATENTED JAN. '7, 1908.

F. WONDRA. FLYING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED 0OT.1 1, 19O4.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

6111/00 m l oz MM N om 0 9 1 7 A uv D E T N E T A P A Du D N 0 W P...

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED OGT.11, 1904.

T SHEETSSKEET 6.

No;.876,125. PATENTED JAN. v, 1908.

F. WONDRA.

FLYING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED 001*. 11, 1904.

FRANZ WONDRA, OF SOHENEGTADY, NEW YORK FLYING-MACHINE Specification of Letters Patent. I

Patented Jan. '7, 1908.

Application an Octolier 11. 190i. swan No. 227.979.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it .known that I, FRANZ 'WoxnnA, a citizen of the Empire of Austria llimgary, residing in Schenectady, in the c1.=unty of Schenectady and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Flying-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved lying machine in which the natural current that is produced by the gradual falling of the machine is employed by suitable aeroplanes for the forward motion in connection with reciprocating wings and rotary propellers driven by a motor, the iachine being equipped with suitable wheels and floats at its lower part for being propelled on land and water; and the invention consists in its general outlines of a flying-machine, which is provided with stationary aeroplanes, of which the front-plane is located at a somewhat less height than the rear-plane, both being curved laterally and arranged at a slightangle of inclination to the horizontal plane, a pair of oscillatory wings located between said aeroplanes, mechanism for imparting an oscillatory motion to said wings, a suitable motor on the platform of the flying machine, propellers located at the rear of the llying machine rotated by a suitable transmitting mechanismfrom said motor,,a stcering-rinldcr located at the front part of the machine, means forturning the rudder to either side in connection withthe propellers, and also a suitable inclination towards the horizontal plane, a sliding gondola below the platform, guideways for said gondola, and means for guiding the basket forward or backward in said ways in order to shift the center ol? gravity ol the machine, according an ascending or descending motion istobe imparted to the same.

The invention consists next of the construction of the o.-,u zillating wings with a number of hinged panels, and improved mechanism for feathering said wings.

The invention consists 'lfurthcrin certain details of constructhm of the steering-rudder, the propellers, the starting and stopping mechanisms, and other combinations of parts which will be fully described hereinafter and finally pointed but in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a side-clcvation of my improved flying machine, showing the general arrangement of the parts of the same, Fig. 2 is aplenbraccs made of stceltubing.

view of one he. 3f the flying machine, showing one half of the aeroplanes and one of the wings, Fig. is a rear-elevation of the flying machine, sac w'ing the propellers, aeroplanes and the wings, the dotted lines indirting the lowermost position of the wings, Fi i, and 6 are respectively a front-flow, a. trans verse section, and a plan-view ot the mechanism for opening or closing the hinged p anels of the oscillating wings, Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail. vertical transverse section,

showing the meclnmism for actuating the os' .cillatmg wings, Fig. 8, a detail side-vicw of the sprocket-wheel. and chain transmission for actuating said wings, Figs. 9, 10 and 11 are details of the sprocket-wheel and chaintransmission of the os..illating wings, Fig. 12 is a rear-elevation of the front steering-rudder, Fig. 13 is a side-elevation ol' the lower part of the flying machine, drawn on a larger scale than Fig. 1, so as to illustrate thestarting and steering mechanisms, Fig. 14 is a plan-view ol Fig. 13,sho\'\"ing the rudder and propellers turned sidcwise for steering in a horizontal plane, Fig. 15 is 'a detail-planviow oi the auxiliary starting levers, Fig. 16 is a sectional side-elevation, drawn one larger scale, of the motiontransmitting mechanisms, Fig. 17 is a vertical transverse section on line 1717, Fig. n5, Fig. 18 is a plan-view showing the means for turning the supporting frame of the propellers for steering purposes, Fig; 19 is'a vertical section on line 19 -19, Fig. 18, Fig. 20 is a detail-section showing the connection between the rims ol' the propellers for stoadying the same during their rotatory motion and F 21 to 2-3 are detail views of the wing-panels.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

The lying machine is constructed in its general outlines of a supporting-frame F made of light but strong steel-tubing,- a platform N supported atthc lower part ol the frame, a motor E on said platl'orm, and: a seat lJ also on said .platl'ornifor the person that operates the starting and steering mechanisms. Below the platform N is arrangcda wheeled vehit-le-l'ramo F. The platform N and the frame F are connected by suitable platform N and the vehicle-frame are located guide-ways for the sliding gondola M, in which the second person is seated. At the upper l'rontpart of the supporting-ireme i is located a stationary l'ront ztQlOIdZtilQ A,

Between the Y parted to the aeroplanes.

and at the upper reanpart of the frame F a stationary rear aeroplane A and intermediately between the same the oscillating wings B, B. '1' he frames of the aeroplanes A, A are connected by steel-strings a with the main-and vehicle-frames and by inclined braces a a with the main-frame F, so that the required degree of stiffness is im- At the front-end of the supporting main-frame F is arranged a vertical steering-rudder D, which is capable .of rotary motion on its vertical and horizon- .tal axes, while two propellers O, C are arv the machine.

ranged at the rear-end of the supportingframe, one being arranged vertically above the other.

H indicates the mechanism for opening and closing the panels of the oscillating Wings, I the mechanism for imparting oscillating motion to the wings, J the mechanism for steering in a horizontal plane, K the mechanism for steering in vertical direction, and G, G are floats provided with runners at their undersides, which floats are supported at both sides below the vehicle-frame and serve for guiding and supporting the vehicle on the water, while the wheels of the vehicleframe serve for supporting the same on land.

The supporting main frame.The supporting or main-frame F is constructed of seamless steel-tubing and comprises a middle portion having inclined side and upright center tubes and inclined forwardly and back wardly extending tubes (1 supported on the side-tubes. The .lower horizontal vehicleframe F is supported below the platform N and rovided With a forwardly extending tapering frame F in which the steeringrudder D is sup orted. The lower frame F is wider at the ower part than at the upper party and provided with longitudinal guideways 16 for the shifting'gondola M. The lower frame F is stifiened by inclined tubular braces a which are connected with the steering-rudder frame F at the front of. the machine and with the-upright frame in which the shafts of the propellers O, C are su orted.

The aer0pZanes. The aeroplanes constructed of a light frame of steel-tubing and a covering of Waterproof silk, linen or other suitable material. They extend to either side of the machine and are slightly curved both in lateral and longitudinal direction, so as to be convex at theiru per surface, being stationarily supports upper part of the supporting main-frame of The aeroplanes are arranged in the nature of the win of a bird, at a down ward and rearward inc ination of 10 to the horizontal lane, the-front-end of the front :aeroplane being located; in the same horizontal plane with the rear-end of the rear aeroplane, so that the 'front aeroplane is located somewhat below the rear aeroplane, as shown clearly in Fig. 1.

on the The oscillating wings.The Wings 13 are made of frames formed of steeltubes and hinged at their inner ends to a transverse pivot-rod c. To the frame of the wings-are inged transverse slats or panels I), while on the upper side of the wing-frame is arranged the mechanism H for closing and opening the anels b. The wings are made curved in imitation of the wings of a flying bird and are oscillated so as to imitate the motion of such wings. During the upward motion of the wings B, the panels I) are open, so as to permit thewings to ass freely through the air, the panels being clbsed when the wings arrive in their up ermost position by the mechanism H, so t at the wings are then swungwith fully-closed surfaces in downward direction'."-'

actuating mechanism I; the wings being then used as auxiliary aeroplanes for floating in the air. The wings B are connected by links Z and connecting rods (1 with the wingactuating mechanism I. The wings are located between the aeroplanes in such a manner that their center is located in a line that connects the front-end of the front aeroplane A with the rear-end of the rear aeroplane A as shown in Fig. 1 The wings are curved and are arranged ata forward and rearward inclinationof 10 to the horizontal plane, so that by their inclined motion they impart an upward and forward motion to the machine.

The propellers.The propellers C, C are provided with two curved blades, as shown clearly in Figs, 3 and 13, said blades being jsup orted, at their inner-ends on the drivingsha' ts of the propellers and at their outer ends by circular steel rims e, 6 and steelstrings ing wir est at their outer ends and tapering toward their inner ends. The propellershafts are supported in journal-bearings of segments i, i of the horizontal steering mechanism. Rotary motion is imparted from the motor' to the shaft of the lower propeller and transmitted from the same to the shaft of. the up er 'pro eller. The lower pro eller is provided wit ,a circumferential y- 'rooved circular steel-rim or frame e, 'whic engages a taperingrubbr-tire 54 applied to the circumference of,the steel-rime of the upper propeller O as shown in Fig. 20. The connection between the grooved circumference of the steel-ring e of the lower The blades are spoon-shaped, be-

propeller C and the tapering rubber ring 54 on the upper ro'peller secures the steady rotation of bot propellers in whatever position they are placed." .The propellers are located at the rear-end of the supportin frame of the machine below the rear aerop arm A, and

serve the twofold purpose of 1m farting forward motionto the machine an of steering tapering frame of steel tubing covered with waterproof linen, silk or other material and supported at its front and rear-ends in a supporting-frame The frame j is' connected with the horizontal steering mechanism, which will be described hereinafter. A ringshaped gear-wheel it is connected with the frame o'l' the rudder and permits it to be moved to any suitable angle of inclinationto the horizontal plane. The rudder is located at the front-part of the machine vertically below the front kite-plane A.

The vehicZc.-The vehicle frame F} is provided with four wheels oi equal size. The front steering-wheels are connected by an endless steering-chain Z with the horizontal steering mechanism, so that the machine can be steered when on land.

T he floats.'l.he floats G are formed oi a skeleton steel-frame covered with sheen aluminium, so as to form airtight, hollow bodies. They are supported at the lower end of the supporting frame of the machine in such a manner that the lower propeller cannot form contact with the surface ol the Water when the floats float. on the same.

The wing-acme Zinger echo ism r The wing actuatin mechanism shown iii detail in Figs. 7 to 11. it is supported on parallel vertical steel-tubes n, which are located at the center of the supportingnnsin-frame oi" the machine. Between the stccltnl cs n are supported the short transverse shal'ts ot' sprocket-wheels e. 7) and c, which diminish in size from the lower -;Pl()(l (i\\'ll0( l a to the u per sprocket-wheel a". The upper parts oi the vertical sleelduhes u serve for guiding the sleeve-sliapml crossheads w. The upper ends of the stccl tubcs 1 are made converging and support at their upper ends the t ansverso pivoieshait c oi the wings B. Motion is transmitted to the wings from the main- Shaft 23, driven by the motor i by means of agear-whecl 49, which placed loosely on the shaft and the llz'n'igcd (ircnm'l erence o'l which is placed in contact with clutch member 50 that is shifted on the main-shalt 13 by a lever 5i whicl'i is tulcimncd-lio the platform N, as shown in Fig. 1c. The lower l'orked end of the lever 5i engag'hs a grooved collar on the clutch member 5t) and permits thereby the clutching of the gear-wheel 45). The gear-wheel 49 meshes with a pinion that is placed on the shaft of a worm 53, said shalt turning in suitable journal bcarings on the platform N. The worm 53 meshes with a wornngear 2 on the shaft of the lowermost pair or sprocket-wheels 0 and between the same, as shown in Fig. 7. The rotation of the worm-gear 2 moves two sprocket-chains as, m, which are driven by the sprockc t-wheels 'v and guided by the sprocketovhecls Q) and 'v". When the clutch member 50 is uncoupled "from the gcar-wheel 49 by the lever 52 the wings are held in the position in v. hich they are at the moment of uncoupling, by the locking action of the worm-gear 3 on the worm-gear 2. 'lhisiocking action arrests immediately the motion of the transmitting sprtwhet-chains 91', IE, and thereby the motion. of the wings. When the worm-gear 2 is rotated by the transmitting mechanism described, the sp'rticket-chains at, w are set in motion by the sprocket-wheels e, 1), v The sprocket-chains are constructed in such a manner that the pivots :r of the. links of the chains are connected with the outer pair of links, while the tubular pivots az: on the pivots 9: are connected with the inner pair of links, as shown in Fig. 9. 0; is a softening sleeve between the inner links and a)" are washers at the ends of the pivots re Two adjacent pivots of each of ,the double sprocketclmins are connected by a cross-piece 1 said pivots being attached to the chains by suitable screw-nuts The cross-pieces are each provided with a eonical head which carries by means of two sets of antifrictionballs and suitable ball-races a llHg-SililPPd sleeve 1, and to these sleeves at corresponding points on the two chains are pivoted the l'orked lmv remls 2 of two tubular connecting rods (1". Each forked lower end 2 is made o! two parts, the shanks o'l' which are connected by a sleeve 3 that is inserted into the lower end of the tubularconnecting-rod (l as shown in Figs. 9 and 11. The upper ends of the cmmccting rod (1 are applied by pivot--linl-;s to the crossheads 1/) which are guided on the upright steel-tubes 'u. The crosshetnls w are connected by universal joints with the lower ends of the lever-rods d. the upper ends ol' whi h are likewise connected by hlilb'jUllllS with sockets l, said sockets being supported .by suitable braces on the center-ribs oi the oscillating wings B, as shown in Fig. 7.

The wing /l if/l(")l'/I werclm'n'is'lr E The mechanism for feathering the wings is operated :nitonntticnlly with each oscillating motion ol the wings. The closing motion ol the wing panels is based on the tart that during the upward motion of the wings B, the angle l clueen them becomes gradually smaller, so that the parts supported on the wing-frames have to give" and assume a (lill'crent position. Figs. 4, 5 and 6 show the mechanism for closing the panels 1'). ()n the center-ribs of the l'rnmes ol wings B are supported near the transverse pivot-shalt c of the same, converging snpporting frames m, m, and near the outer ends of the ribs inclined triangular l'ranies n, n. To the frames m are applied movable levers 0, and to the frames n mow able lovers 1) connected by connecting rods'r', s, withsaid lovers 0. The shorter arms of the supporting frames are extended beyond with rollers q, as shown clearly in Fig. 7 these rollers fitting into ooves on the bent sidesof the levers o. T e levers 0 and the rollers g are so arranged on the supporting frames m that the lever of one wing is operated'by the roller on the frame of the other wing. The. levers o are guided along the rollers g, which are grooved sufficiently for this purpose. By the upward motion of the wings, the shorter arm of the supporting frame m on one wing presses on the lever 0 of the op osite wing, so that the latter turns' throug a quarter of a circle. This motion is transmitted by the tubular connecting-rods 7' and s to the levers p near the outer ends of thewings. The hinged panels 6 are connected by gut-strings twith the tubular connectin'g rods r, as shown clearly in Figs. 21, 22 and 23. When the wings arrive in their highest position, the panels I) are moved from the panels are placedin open or 1 tion by the counter pressure of t .the open position, shown in Fig. 4, into the closed position, shown in Fig. 7, so that the Wings are ready for the downward motion with all the panels in closed position. -l Vhen the wings arrive at their lowermost'position and commence the next upward oscillation,

pendent positliere is little resistance by the air to themeward motion of the wings.

The horizontal steering motion.-Steering in a horizontal plane is efi'ected by the joint action'of the rudder D and propellers C, C. The rudder is moved in the direction in which'the flying machine is to be steered,

either to the right or left, and simultaneously therewith the propellers are shifted in opposite direction into such a osition that their shafts form an angle"w'i-t the longitudinal axis of the machine, corresponding to that of the rudder with said axis. The steeringmechanism is shown in Figs. 13, 14 15, 17,18 and 19. The frame D turns on a ,vertica pivot at the lower forwardly-extending part F of the mainframe.

which turns in suitable bearings $11 To the bottom of. the rudder-frame j is attached a worm-segment i which meshes. with a worm 7 theshaft of which is supported on the main-frame. Motion is transmitted to the worm 7 'from a hand steerin -wheel 8, which 's attached to an inclined tu bular. rod,

on the rear-frame of the machine, an y the rod 11 and a bevel-gear transmission 9 9 to the shaft of the worm 7 and from said shaft by bevel-wheels 9", 9 at the opposite end, to

the rapper cross-pieces of the frames and pro' vide e air, so that p of the steering-rudder,

an upright tubular rod 12, and bevel gears 9 9 to the shaft of the worm 7. On the rear-part of the supporting main-frame are located horizontal carrier segments 5 and 55 for the shafts of the propellers. =-These car- Iier-segments'5, 5 are rigidly attached to the rear-frame and support at their centers the upright .bearin'gs 6 and 6".

On the circumference of the carrier-seg- 41, which is supported in the hanger-nearing- 6 by means of screw-nut 42. Antifriction roller-bearings are" arranged between the hanger-bearing 6, the screw-nut 42 and the hub 'of the worm-segment 4 The hangershaft 41 supports, in a recess, the shaft 43501 the lower pro eller. lower end of t e shaft 41 is supported by means of, antifi'iction-bearings, a double bevel. ear wheel 44. li/iotion is transmitted from't e main-shaft 23 by a bevel-gear 46 to the lower gear of the doublebevel-gear 44, while the upper gear of the same transmits motion to a bevel-gear 47 keyed to the shaft 43 of the lower propeller. By this transmission, rotary motion is imparted to" the lower propeller in whatever position the same is placed for steering. Frorn'the lower propeller shaft 43 ,rotary motion is transmitted to the upper propeller C b a pulley h and belt 7 to a pulley on the s aft of the upper propeller. The main-shaft 23 receives rotary motion from the crankshaft of the motor, which is supported on the platform N, by means of gear-wheels, pulleys and belt, or other transmission.

Fig. 12 shows a rear-elevation of the rudder and its frame. 'The dotted lines show the rudder placed in inclined osition to' a vertical plane assin through t e longitudinal axis of t e 1'u tier-frame. The gearwheel 7c is connected by steel-strings awith the front and rear-ends of the longitudinal rudder-frame. The turning of the rudder into laterally-inclined position is accom plished by-a hand-Wheel 13 located below the steering-wheel 8, jointed connecting-rods 14 and gears 15, 15" and 15 gear 15 being in mesh with the gear-wheel k, as shown in. Figs. 12 and 13. Thegear-wheel 15 is located at the end of the lower connecti ro d 14 and supported at the front-end o the main-frame, the gear-wheel 15 on the rud-' der-supporting frame j and gear-wheel 15 also loosely on the supporting-frame By this gear-wheel transmission the rudder can 'be' turned sidewise in whatever steering p09.

sition the same has to be placed. The worm On a collar on the with the shaft of a worm 7, which is located near the front-axle of the vehicle, so that the steering-wheel 8 can also-transmit horizontal steering motion to the vehicle when the machine is moved over firm ground.

The vertical steering motion-The vertical steering motion is accomplished by shifting the gondola M in forward or backward directron-1n its tubular gu1de-ra1ls 16. The motion of the gondola is controlled by a handwheel 17, which is located adjacent to and above the steering-wheel 8 and the steeringpillar in which said rods are supported. The tubular rod to which the hand-wheel 17 is applied passes through the tubular rod of the hand wheel 8 and carries at its lower end a bevel-wheel 18,-which meshes with a similar bevel-wheel 18 on the horizontal shaft of a worm 19, as shown in Figs. 13 and. 16. The worm 19 meshes with a worm-gear 20, which is located sidewise of the same, but in the same plane with the worm 19, as shown in Fig. 173- The goanwhecl 20 is provided with a grooved circinnferenee, around which the steel-rope 21 is passed. The steel-rope 21 "'iasses over suitable guide-pulleys at the rent and rearends of the. lower main-frame and attached to the ends of the gondola M, as shown in Fig. 13, so that the same can be moved in one or the opposite direction on its ways 16, according to the direction im )arted to it by the steel-rope 21. The gondoia M is held in osition on the ways by a horizontal steel-tuoc 22, having a suitable guide-roller for the gondola and guide-pulleys at its ends for the shifting steel-rope 21. By the shift ing of the gondola, together with the weight of the ballast for the occupant of the same, the center of gravity of the flying machine is moved either in forward or backward direction, according to the direction imparted to the gondola. By the forward or backward motion, the angle of inclination of the aeroplanesand the wingstoward the horizontal plane ischangcch so that the machine can be moved in upward or downward direction. By the shifting of the center of gravity, the entire flying-machine can be placed in such a position that the air-currents can be utilized for the proper flotation of the same.

The auxiliary steering devices.For the purpose of effecting the steering operation quick lyand effectively, both steering-mechanisms are provided with auxiliary steeringdevices, which are actuated from the mainshaft 23. For this purpose the'platform N is provided with a U-shaped hanger-frame 24, in which the shaft of the worm 19 is suported. To the shaft of the worm 19' is eyed a bevel-gear 25, which meshes with a bevelear 26, the upright shaft of which is jo'urna ed in the lower part of the U-shaped a rubber rim hangenframe 24-. At the underside of the hanger-frame, but keyed to the shaft of the bevel-gear 26, is arranged a friction-disk 27, which is provided with a circumferential rubber-rim 28. Below the friction-disk 27 is arranged on the main-shaft 23 a longitudinal sliding-sleeve 30, which is guided by slots on diametrically-op osite pins and provided at opposite en s with frictiondisks 29. Either one of thetfriction-disks can be placed in contact with the circum ference of the friction-disk 27 by means of a lever 33, which is located on the steeringpillar in which the tubular rods of the handwheels 8 and 17 are so ported, said lever being pivoted to said pil ar below the steering-wheel S and connected by a pivot-rod 32 and elbow-lever 31 with a grooved collar adjacent to the rear friction-disk 29. The elbow-lever is fulcrumed to a suitablesuoport on the mainframe and made forkshapcd at its lower end, so as to engage said collar. The auxiliary stcerii'ig-lever 33 permits the shifting of the sleeve 30 and its friction-disks in either direction, so that one friction-disk 29 or the other is placed in contact with the main transmitting-disk 27.

The rotary motion imparted to the friction.-

disk 27 imparts, by means of the bevel-gears 2G, .25, worm 19 and worm-gear 20, a quick motion to the steel-rope 21, so that the gondola' M is moved in forward direction on its guide-ways by the downward motion of the lever 33, whereby the center of gravity is moved in forward direction, and a greater load is placed on the front aeroplane A, and

the flying machine is moved in downward direction, or it is moved in backward direction by the upward motion of the lever moving the sleeve 30 to the rear end of its guideways, whereby the center of gravity of the machine is moved in backward direction, so that a-greater load is placed on the rear aeroplane, whereby the load on the front aeroplane is diminished and thereby the machine placed in a position for ascending motion. I

The second auxiliary steering-device is operated by the lever 39 and connected with a horizontal steering mechanism. In the platform N is supported a friction-disk 35, which is provided at its circumference with 28. This friction disk is placed in contact with. one of the frictiondisks 40 at the ends of a second sleeve 30 that is guided on the main-shaft 23 by pins of the friction-disks 4-0 on said sleeve is laced in contactylith the circumference of the friction-disk so that by the movement of the lever 39 towards the right or left the horiz ntal steering mechanism is move towards the right or left, as desired. In Fig.

16 the auxiliary steering-devices are shown.

in their neutral'or non-acting osition, while Fig. 15 shows a plan-view o 'th'e auxiliary levers 39 and 33. v

All the hand-wheels for the starting-devices, horizontal and vertical steering mechanisms and the levers for the auxiliary starting and steering-devices are located in proximity to the seat L on which the person who steers the flyingmachine is seated, so that any required motion can be carried out instantly and with great facility.

For demonstrating the combined effect of the aero lanes, wings and propellers, it is" assumed t iat the flying machine is moved over creased air-pressure, whereby the machine is driven forward with increased speed. By continumg the strokes of the wmgs the flying machine is moved forward at increased speed until the upward pressure of the aeroplanes is large enough so as to keep the machine afloat. By the. forward propulsion of the' machine in. a forward direction the aeroing ower of thewings is augmented. stability of the machine is preserved autoplane A passes into a quiet layer of air, while the motion of the wings in upward direction. produces a decrease of pressure under the same, so that the air'which is passing off below the aero lane A follows quickly the wing motion. T estroke of the wings in downward direction acts therefore always on an upwardly-moving air-body, so that the lift- The Patent:

1. In a -flying machine, in combination,

with a supporting-frame, aero lanes carried by said frame at the front an :rear and ex}: tending to either side thereof, the rear (heroplane being higher than the front aeroplane,

vertically oscillating wings pivoted to said g thus 1 described my invention, I 1 claim as new and desire .to secure by- Letters 'frame between said aeroplanes and forming when outspread a third aeroplane similar to the others, and wing-operating mechanism. 2. In a flying machine, the combination, with a su porting frame, of laterally and longitudinally curved aeroplanes mounted thereon and extending. transversely thereof to either side of the same at the front and rear of, the machine, said aeroplanes being inclined downwardly towards the rear of the machine andthe rearaeroplane being higher than the front aeroplane,- wings mounted on said frame between said aeroplanes, and means for oscillating said wings.

3. In a flying machine, the combination,

with a supporting frame, of a shaft extending longitudinally thereto and supported thereby, wings pivoted to said shaft and extending to either sideof the machine, upright guiderods below said wings, 'crossheads guided vertically on said guide-rods, a connectingrod'connecting each crosshead with its corresponding wing, and means for reciprocating said crossheads. 1 1 In. a flying machine, the combination, with a supporting frame, of wings pivoted thereto, parallel upright guide-rods carried by said frame below said wings, stud-shafts connecting said guide-rods, sprockets mounted on said stud-shafts, chains movable Over 'said sprockets, crossheads movable on said uprights, rods connecting said .chains and said crossheads, and means for connecting the latter with the wings. v 5. A flying machine comprising a sup' porting frame, a pair of wings pivoted thereto and each comprising a glurality of-swihging panels, means for oscil ating said wings, and means operated by each of said Wings in its oscillatory movement for operating the anels of the other wing and thereby feathering said wing.

6. In a'flying machine the combination, with wings pivoted to a'common shaft, of swinging panels carried by each wing, and -means mounted on each wing for operating the panels of the other wing, said meansbeing operated automatically when said wings assume a predetermined angle. a

7. A flying machine comprising a supporting frame, means for propelling the same throughthe air, arudder at the front of said frame, means for angularly moving said rudder about a vertical axis, and means for angularly moving the same about an axis dis-- posed longitudinally of the machine.

8. A' flying machine including in its construction a rudder formed of a forwardly tapering frame mounted to turn on an axis disposed longitudinally of the machine.

- 9. A flying "machine including'in its construction' a rudderformed of a forwardly tapering frame mounted, to turn on an axis isposed longitudinally of the machine, a

gear-wheel e mbisrcing said frame, a second gear-wheel engaging the first, and means for rotating said second gear-wheel.

10. A flying machine including in its construction steering propellers mounted one above the other, means for simultaneously shifting said. ropellers to different angles to the vertical ongitudinal plane of the machine, means for transmitting motion from one of said propellers to the other irrespective of their position, and means for driving one of said propellers while in its dil'lerent positions. y

11. In a flying machine, thecoinbination, with the parallel propellenshafts, of the propellers mounted thereon, and the circular irames or rims mounted on said propellers and traveling in frictional contact with each other.

12. In a flying maelnne, the combination,

with the frame, of the horizontal guidewr s arranged lon itndinaliy therein, the ballast carryin gon ola movable in said guideways, the stee rope-transmission for moving said gondola in either direction, and the steeringwheel for actuating said transmission.

13. In a flyin machine, a frame, a ballastcarryinggondo a ,guided therein, a owerdriven g erating shaft, means for s ftin said goncola, and means for coupling said shifting means with said operating shaft.

14. In a flying machine, a frame, a ballastcarryin' gondola guided therein, means for manual y shifting said gondola, a frictionwheel in operative connection with said shaft, a friction-sleeve on said shaft having terminal disks disposed at either side of said friction-wheel and movable into contact therewith, andnmeans for shifting said sleeve in either direction.

15. In a flying machine, the combination, with a steering propeller, of manually-operable means for shifting the same, and auxiliary power-operated propeller-shifting means. 16. In a flying machine, a steering propeller, means for manually shifting the same singularly with respect to the vertical longitudinal plane of the machine, a power-driven operating shaft, and a device for coupling said operating shaft with said shifting me ans. 17. In a flying machiiie, the combination, with a steering propeller, or ineans to shift the same angularly with respect to the vertical longitudinal plane of the machine, a 1nanually-operable steeringpillar in operative connection with said shifting means, a powerdriven "operating shaft, a wfrictionwheel adapted to be driven thereby, and anoperative connection between said friction-wheel and said steering pillar.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention, I-have signed my name in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

" PAUL.GOEPEL,

. HENRY J. Smnmrnn.

shifting means, a power-driven operating 

